Decked Out: 6 Simple Backyard Upgrades

Transforming your backyard deck from dull to dreamy is easier—and less expensive—than you might think. Here are six add-on details that can enhance the overall look and usefulness of virtually any new or existing deck.

Planters

Planters

Planters create places to grow flowers, small shrubs, and other plants, which add natural beauty, color, and texture. However, planters can also be used to define spaces and establish boundaries.

For example, on a multilevel deck, you can set a planter at each end of a level change to highlight the step. Or use planters to flank a doorway, or the top or bottom of a staircase. Build a triangular-shaped planter into a corner to make use of this seldom-used space. Set a planter at the base of each post of an elevated deck. Or, line the perimeter of an on-grade deck with planters, spaced 3 to 6 feet apart. In each instance, the planters will emphasize the deck's overall shape and size while adding color and visual interest.

Deck planters are typically built from the same lumber as the deck so they blend in. But there's no reason why planters can't be built of a different material, or painted or stained a contrasting color to the decking.

It's best to build at least the interior frame of the planter from pressure-treated wood, which will resist rot. The exterior surface of the planter can be covered with virtually any exterior-grade product, including decking, siding, shingles, cellular PVC trim, textured plywood, or cedar, redwood, teak, mahogany or pressure-treated boards.

There's no specific guideline for building planters, but they're usually 16 to 20 inches tall, with an interior dimension of at least 16 inches square. Rectangular planters are often 36 to 48 inches long, with an interior width of 10 to 16 inches. When sizing the interior of a planter, be sure it will accept a readily available plastic or metal liner. Otherwise you'll have to order a custom-made liner, which can be rather costly. It's also important that the liner has drainage holes to let out excess water.

And unless the planters are tall and narrow, it's best not to fasten them to the deck. That way, you'll be able to reposition the planters, if desired, and move them out of the way to clean or refinish the deck.

Flower Boxes

Flower Boxes

Flower boxes are similar to planters, but they're installed onto the railing that runs around the perimeter of the deck. This idea mimics the attractive window boxes often seen on cottages.

The most common style of deck flower box is a narrow rectangular wooden box that's attached to the outside of the handrail. The boxes typically measure about 6 to 8 inches wide, 6 to 8 inches deep, and 24 to 30 inches long. They're almost identical to window boxes, and can be spaced several feet apart or lined up end to end to create a continuous flower garden.

You can screw the flower boxes directly to the railing, but it's better to support the boxes with a pair of metal or wooden window-box brackets, which you can find at most home centers and hardware stores. The brackets make it easy to remove the flower boxes in winter and replace them each spring.

Another type of deck flower box is the saddle box, so named because it straddles the handrail. It's essentially two standard flower boxes attached with metal straps or wood boards, but separated by a space that's slightly wider than the handrail. The saddle box is placed on top of the railing to provide two planting spaces, one on either side of the railing. And because it's not fastened in place, you can easily slide the flower box along the railing if desired.

As for materials, flower boxes are typically made from 3/4-inch-thick cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated wood. They can be stained to match the deck or painted a contrasting color. As with planters, be sure there are holes in the bottom of the flower boxes to drain away excess water.

If you don't have the time to build flower boxes or deck planters, you can purchase them from many retail and online stores.